Politics Indiana

V14 N29 Thursday, March 6, 2008 Clinton-Obama Hoosier Showdown Hillary wins in Texas, Ohio sets the stage for intense May 6 primary showdown

By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - How about a beer with Barack on Dyngus Day at the West Side Democratic Club? A distinct possibility. Or a backseat car ride with Hillary Clinton (as I did from Fort Wayne to Arcola Elementary School in April 1992)? Another possibility. Or, perhaps, a Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner bill on May 4 with with Obama and Clinton. The invitations have been sent to the campaigns. Since Obama won the Iowa caucus and then extended a narrow delegate lead on Super Tuesday, the notion of a May 6 Indiana presidential primary has been the dream of pundits and TV station advertising execs. On Tuesday, after Clinton ended Obama’s 12-state winning streak (including Vermont) with big voters. In fact, Clinton beamed her resurgence Wednes- wins in the Ohio and Texas primaries (but not the Texas day morning that the “Ohio River Valley will elect the next caucus), Democrats are all but guaranteed this epic presi- president.” The former First Lady did well along the Ohio dential race will extend into the summer. Perhaps all the riverfront (sans Cincinnati) and will try to duplicate that in way to August. And that gives heft and weight to Hoosier the Pittsburgh area leading up to the April 22 Pennsylvania

About that recession

By MORTON J. MARCUS INDIANAPOLIS - Save the date: March 27. That’s when the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will release the latest data on Indiana’s economy. At that “The stress in this job is going time we’ll get the first estimate of personal income for the last three to get a lot of people trying to months of 2007 plus revisions of previous quarters. If there is a do the right thing on property recession, that’s where we will see the first clear indications. If? taxes.’ Yes, it is still not clear if there is a recession in Indiana or the U.S. - State Sen. Bob Meeks, who suf- because the data, our photos of economic performance, are not fered a slight stroke last week developed instantly. Certainly HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008 there are national problems, but are 30 states were growing and the next Howey Politics they reaching all the states? quarter that number was down to In the third quarter of 20. Indiana’s experience, however, Indiana 2007, real personal income grew in the was not in sync with the nation. We is a nonpartisan news- nation by 0.96%. This quarterly gain showed no decline in real personal of nearly one percent was at a sea- income during the national recession. letter based in Indianapolis sonally adjusted rate. Each of the 50 Our weakness came in those seven and published by NewsLink states and the District of Columbia (all quarters preceding the U.S. reces- 51 “states”) were advancing from July sion. While the nation was sluggish Inc. It was founded in to September last year while everyone at 0.16% average quarterly growth, 1994 in Fort Wayne. was focusing on the mortgage and Indiana stagnated at -0.02%. During housing crises. Indiana had an 0.87% the three quarter national recession, increase which qualified for 31st place when the U.S. average growth rate Brian A. Howey, publisher in the U.S. Indiana’s long-term quar- was -0.13%, Indiana grew by an aver- Mark Schoeff Jr. and Mark terly growth rate (1948 to mid-2007) age of 0.30%. for real personal income has been This favorable record was Curry, Washington 0.73% (39th in the nation) compared not sustained. Since the last reces- Writers with an 0.89% for the U.S. Our volatil- sion, Indiana has averaged an 0.47% Jack E. Howey, Editor ity (the variation compared to our quarterly growth rate in real personal Beverly Phillips, Associate average growth) was the 16th highest income and the nation has achieved in the nation. High volatility in itself is an 0.85% increase. What does all this Editor not a problem, if the level of income is tell us about Indiana and the next persistently high. Over this long term (current) recession? Possibly noth- Subscriptions: of 238 quarters, Indiana has grown in ing. It may be that Indiana is now so 180 of them (75.6% of the time, tied different from the U.S. that cyclical na- $350 annually HPI via e-mail; for 37th place with Oklahoma and Mis- tional movements do not correspond $550 annually HPI & HPI Daily sissippi). tightly with our economic variations. Wire. The U.S. grew in 86.1% of the As a state specialized in particular sec- Call 317-254-0535. quarters. Ohio and Michigan has less tors of the manufacturing economy, all positive records than Indiana while we know is that we do not track the Howey Politics Indiana our other neighbors outperformed us. nation well. And thus we persistently PO Box 40265 How many states fall off the growth lag national growth rates. v Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265. wagon in a recession? Does Indiana Mr. Marcus is an indepen- lead the nation on the downside? On dent economist, formerly with the upside? A partial answer to these IU’s Kelley School of Business. Contact Us questions can be derived from the www.howeypolitics.com last recession in the U.S. Measured [email protected] by real personal income, that reces- sion began after a personal income Main Office: 317-202-0210. The PDF returns! peak in the second quarter of 2002. Howey’s Mobile: 317-506-0883. Then, for three consecutive quarters, With this edition, the Howey Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. real U.S. personal income declined Politics Indiana weekly PDF returns. Washington: 202-256-5822. before resuming its growth path in the While most of the new aspects of the second quarter of 2003. But there was Business Office: 317-254-0535. revamped www.howeypolitics.com weakness in the economy earlier. have met our expectations, inlcuding ©2008, Howey Politics In the seven quarters the HPI Daily Wire, we did not like Indiana. All rights reserved. prior to that recession, real quarterly the formatting of the weekly HPI, so Photocopying, Internet forwarding, personal income growth for the na- we’re back in the PDF for those who tion was 0.16%. In the first quarter faxing or reproducing in any form, like to print HPI out. of 2000, 49 states were growing; by For those who like to read it in whole or part, is a violation of the fourth quarter of that year only online or on their Blackberries, each of federal law without permission from 36 were still growing. Half a year later these stories still appears online. v the publisher. and 26 states were growing. When real personal income peaked in 2002, HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

that “I don’t think it’s fearmongering” to raise the point. from page 1 The Obama campaign responded by noting that it’s not just Clinton/Obama, answering the red phone (a Cold War icon which doesn’t exist anymore), “It’s what you say,” Obama said, noting primary. Then it’s likely on to Lawrenceburg, Madison, Jef- that Sen. Clinton didn’t say the right thing when she voted fersonville, New Albany and Evansville in Indiana. for the October 2002 Iraq War resolution. The other decisive Hoosier battleground between Despite Clinton’s wins in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Clinton and Obama will be the 6th CD, according to Indiana Island (Obama won the dual Texas caucus), Bayh pro- Democratic Chairman Dan Parker. “How it breaks out is claimed on MSNBC Wednesday, “She’s got the momentum 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 all have six delegates,” Parker said of the now. And I think it’s very important that as people focus on Congressional districts. “3, 4 and 5 all have four. The 6th this election and they understand this is a serious moment has five and the reason that’s important and the reason for our country, there are serious consequences for our they’ll fight over that most is if you win the majoirty in that nation’s security and our economy, they’re going to focus district by one vote, you get the extra delegate. With all on which of these very good candidates has the strength, the rest of them because they’re even, you’ll have to get the experience, the ability to really deliver the results that dramatically more than the other canddiate to win more the American people have a right to expect in our com- delegates. You’ve got to get 58 prcent of the vote in those mander in chief and in our president, and I think that fa- five districts that have 6 delegates to move to from 2 to 4 vors Senator Clinton. So you ask about the politics and the (delegates) instead of 3/3 due to rounding factors.” It will math and all that. The bottom line on that is neither one take the Indiana Election Division two weeks after the May of these candidates is going to win in these primaries and 6 primary to officially certify who wins what caucuses enough delegates to get delegates. the nomination. So it’s going to come So if you’re in Indianapolis (media down to the so-called superdelegates market), Anderson, Muncie or Columbus, and what we do about Florida, what you’re likely to see Obama and Clinton at the we do about Michigan and all those end of April and first week in May. Parker said things yet to be determined. That’s the Democrats have scheduled the Jefferson- ultimately going to decide who our Jackson Day Dinner for Sunday May 4. He nominee is going to be.” notes that North Carolina - which votes the At an Andre Carson campaign same day as Indiana - will have its JJ dinner event in February, Bayh said that su- the prior weekend. “So there’s no conflict,” he per delegates should follow the votes said, adding that both campaigns have been in the states. But on Wednesday, he advised of all major events between now and told MSNBC, “But I do think it’s very May 6 in Indiana. important who wins these big states, who can win blue The Howey-Gauge Poll of Feb. 17-18 had Obama collar voters and swing areas. That kind of thing is going with a 40-25 percent lead, though Jill Long Thompson’s to be necessary to winning the fall campaign, and Senator internal polls show Clinton leading (though the campaign Clinton did very, very well with those people in those areas declined to show toplines to prove it). This, of course, last night. I think it’s indisputable that the last presidential comes well before U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh throws his con- election was decided in Ohio. And Senator Clinton won siderable weight (and endorsement) behind Clinton. Bayh Ohio by 10 percent last night. A 10 percent victory is gen- hasn’t had a narrow election since 1988, so this will be the erally considered to be a landslide. That’s the threshold of a first time in two decades that his role in an election in truly landslide. So she did well, overwhelmingly well in the most in doubt. While the Obama/Clinton drama might begin the important state four years ago. Four years about before day after Easter in the South Bend/Mishawaka Dyngus Day that, it was Florida. Now, we can argue about there was no bashes - where Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 appearance is still campaign in Florida and all that... “ remembered with relish - it will reach the crescendo on the Asked about the super delegates making a weekend prior to May 6. decision that might negate the popular votes on MSNBC, Bayh found himself in the crosshairs on behalf of Bayh responded, “When do we stop democracy? I come Clinton last weekend where he was asked about the “Red from a state, six and a half million people. We haven’t Phone” ad and the “fear mongering” (as described by the voted yet. Are you going to tell my people in my state that Baltimore Sun and UPI). For Bayh, the next terror attack we shouldn’t count, that we shouldn’t matter, we should by al Qaeda stateside is not if, “but a matter of when,” just stop this thing right now because of political consid- he said on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday. “Our intel- erations? I don’t think that that’s a very fair way to go ligence people have said that publicly,” Bayh said, adding forward. So, look, we need to have an open and honest HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 4 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008 debate about the challenges that face our country, about * * * who’s best prepared to lead us at this very difficult time, Campaign Note: If you hum “Back Home Again and be respectful, be positive, not, you know, divisive and ...” to HIllary Clinton, it might hit a cord. She was Jimmy negative, and then just see where the process takes us. Carter’s Indiana campaign director in 1976 and lived in an That’s how democracy should work. And we need to go upstairs room in Irvington house now owned by Marion forward here. It’s a very, very close race.” County Democratic Chairman Michael O’Connor, who calls Indeed, a very, very close race that will play out in it the “Hillary Clinton Room” though not quite as famous as an Indiana setting in the coming two months. the Lincoln Bedroom. v

that dare not nominate her. But increasingly it looks as if Dream ticket is Evan Hillary Clinton is prolonging the campaign to force her way onto the ticket, yesterday taking a strikingly receptive tack Bayh’s nightmare on the question, saying on CBS that the so-called “Dream Ticket” may be “where this is headed,” adding, “of course By RYAN NEES we have to decide who’s on top.” KOKOMO - If Evan Bayh hopes to be the Vice That “dream” is Evan Bayh’s nightmare, and Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party this fall, indeed, the longer she is in, the harder it will be for Sena- he should call Hillary Clinton and urge her to concede her tor Obama to risk alienating her supporters by denying her presidential campaign immediately. And he the veep slot. She’s playing for second. Hillary Clinton is the should urge her out for just as self-serving new Evan Bayh. Sure, Bayh can cloak his decision in terms reasons as he urged her in. Let’s get some- of nobility. He can argue that for the sake of the party, thing straight right now. Hillary Clinton Sen. Clinton should step aside. He can cloak it in terms of can’t win the nomination. In fact, since her personal concern, arguing that Clinton should concede for victories in Texas, Rhode Island, and Ohio, her own sake, ensuring her future as a leader in the party. her task actually has become more dif- But Bayh’s decision doesn’t have to be made personally in ficult as 370 delegates that were once up any such seemingly self-sacrificial terms. It can be, and for for grabs are now off the board, and given his sake should be, made entirely for self-serving reasons, that she won so few net delegates (it’ll be an ironic end, no doubt, to the sycophantic beginning that in the single digits), she’ll have to win an even larger share was his initial endorsement of her in the first place. of a delegate populace whose number is diminishing. One has to believe that Obama would prefer almost Presuming she were to run the table from now anyone to Clinton on the ticket, and he likely shudders until June, when Puerto Rico casts the last votes in the at the possibility of his masterpiece movement of change primary, the best she can hope for is a pledged delegate tie being diluted by such an establishment, status-quo figure. with Barack Obama. She has to hope to convince a sig- Yet Bayh’s name continues to be circulated as a possible VP nificant majority of the remaining uncommitted superdele- pick for both Obama and Clinton because of his perceived gates to steal the nomination from Obama, overturning the red state appeal, national security credentials, and being a will of the voters, despite his probable popular vote victory, white male. And Obama’s camp itself isn’t likely to discount his probable lead in pledged delegates, and his certain lead Bayh either, who, though a supporter of Clinton, has never in the number of contests won. Because neither candidate engaged in the sort of incendiary race-baiting or personal can win without some superdelegate help, she would have attacks that other surrogates have. to make this case for the three long months between the Obama supporters like Thomas Hamilton and final contest and the convention. Tim Roemer are also likely to vouch for him. If Clinton The only -- only -- way she wins the nomination is waits until August to be forced out of the race, she’ll get by spending those three months trashing Obama, squash- a spot on the ticket to salvage the party from destruc- ing all the hope out of his millions of supporters, and tion. If Bayh urges her out now, he not only salvages his effectively demolishing the Democratic Party and handing own chances, but greatly enhances them, for an earlier- the election to John McCain. Perhaps, cynics would say, this rather-than-later Clinton withdrawal allows Obama to pick is what Hillary Clinton wants. If she can’t have the nomina- someone other his New York rival with fewer November tion, then no one else should either, and by denying Barack repercussions. What better pick than Bayh, which carries Obama the presidency, she sets herself up for another run the added benefit of appearing to unify the party, joining in four years. In that case, Sen. Bayh has reason enough Obama with a prominent Clinton supporter? That support, to call for her withdrawal simply to prevent an egomaniacal perhaps in a private 3 a.m. phone call, Bayh should revoke. kamikaze mission that destroys both Clinton and the party v HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 5 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

with Lee Ann Mengelt, the HD26 open seat being vacated Holes in House GOP by Joe Micon, HD42 in a seat held by the ailing Rep. Amos Thomas, HD46 held by State Rep. Vern Tincher, and the recruiting class has open HD89 being vacated by the retiring Rep. Larry Buell. Five of those seats are occupied by Republicans. Harris defeated Blackford County Commissioner Larry Hile by dampened prospects just 19 votes in 2006 and is seen as vulnerable. In HD 35, Rep. Lutz defeated Mengelt by 1,669 votes. In HD44, Rep. By BRIAN A. HOWEY Thomas will likely face former Greencastle mayor Nancy Mi- INDIANAPOLIS - The 2008 election cycle was chael. Rep. Thomas defeated Michael’s primary opponent, supposed to be the one where Republicans would regain a Richard Thompson, by 1,179 votes in 2006. Rep. Lehe will majority of the Indiana House that, along with the re-elec- likely face a rematch with former Newton County Sheriff tion of Gov. Mitch Daniels, would Myron Sutton, who lost in 2006 by 27 votes. Sutton first set the stage for the second part has to win the Democratic primary against John Anthony of his reform movement. But a Malan. Howey Politics Indiana analy- Another potential open seat is HD38, which sis of fall House races reveals could be vacated by State Rep. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, a Republican recruiting effort should he succeed State Sen. Jeff Drozda, who will resign with several gaping holes and, this spring to take a job out of state. While HD38 is a heav- consequently, if that status quo ily GOP district, Democrat Bob Snow of Kokomo filed there. persists will be tough to shuck Indiana Democratic Chairman Dan Parker said that Snow its minority status. House Minority Leader Brian C. Bosma could take advantage of divisions in the Republican Party in is calling the ‘08 recruitment effort a work in progress. Five Howard County. Democrats thought to be vulnerable in 2008 - freshmen The potential pickups for Republicans in this “tos- State Reps. Kreg Battles and Dave Cheatham and veterans sup” group include HD46, where State Rep. Vern Tincher Teri Austin, Phil Pflum and Ron Herrell - don’t have oppo- faces former Indiana State basketball star Bob Heaton, nents. There is no Republican candidate in the open HD97, and the open HD26 where the seat being vacated by Republican West Lafayette State Rep. Jon Elrod,and thus Councilman Randy Truitt will a likely Democratic pickup. face Democrat John Polles, a Elrod won that seat by only a retired lieutenant colonel and handful of votes in 2006. The Vietnam vet who earned a Democrats have a 51-49 ad- Ph.D in science education from vantage and with Elrod’s seat Purdue University and headed open in a very Democratic the university’s department of district, the GOP already starts military science. Republicans out in a 52-48 hole. are optimistic that they can In seats targeted wrest HD63, the open seat by Democrats - HD86 being being vacated by State Rep. vacated by State Rep. David Dave Crooks, away from the Orentlicher and HD31 where Democrats. Republican Mark State Rep. Tim Harris has won Messmer, co-owner of Mess- his last two races by razor thin mer Mechanical in Jasper, will margins - the majority party face DuBois County Com- recruited highly respected missioner John G. Burger. In attorney Edward O. DeLaney House Republicans gather in 2006 to make the first in a series HD89, Christopher Swatts and 2006 secretary of state of campaign promises, but backlash to the Iraq War and Capitol won the slating and should nominee Joe Pearson. DeL- Hill ethic lapses doomed the majority they hope to reacquire he win his primary, will face aney will face Warren Central this fall. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) Democrat John Barnes, who history and economics teacher lost to Rep. Buell by just 512 Adam Nelson. votes despite getting the cold shoulder from state Demo- There are seven races HPI sees as potential crats. Barnes has already raised more than $10,000. tossups: HD15 tenuously held by State Rep. Don Lehe, Democratic Chairman Parker said the lack of GOP HD31 Harris vs. Pearson, HD35 Rep. Jack Lutz in a rematch recruits in the five seats mentioned at the top of this story HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 6 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 6, 2008

“may be indicative of the prospects for Republicans na- County highway engineer and former INDOT employee, tionally.” Parker went so far as to suggest, “I think we will the early favorite. In HD70, where Robertson won by 2,500 increase our majority.” Parker said votes in 2006, Republicans are running Tim Hunt, who is he was shocked that the Repub- director of business development for Koetter Construction licans couldn’t recruit candidates Co, in Floyds Knobs. “Those five seats are more Republi- against Battles, Cheatham and can than the seats you mentioned,” Gentry said of Battles, Herrell. The lack of opponents for Cheatham, Austin, Pflum and Herrell. “In fact, the candi- Herrell, Austin, Battles, Cheatham dates in those five districts may be the best top five target and Pflum come at a time when seat recruits we have had at the HRCC since I have been Indiana congressional Democratic involved.” Gentry was also optimistic that slated Republican candidates have out-raised GOP Christopher Swatts will hang on to HD89, the seat being candidates by a 65-35 percent clip, vacated by retiring State Rep. Larry Buell. according to a recent story in the Gentry added that in recent HRCC polling, “the Times of Northwest Indiana. That’s governor’s numbers are much improved from 2006 - +19 a virtual historical reversal for the percent in our poll. The generic ballot of +6 percent for two parties. Parker also sees the House Republicans vs. even in 2006.” Gentry also said that “fundraising hasn’t missed a beat” and that most of the lack of an opponent to run against REP. HARRIS Rep. Austin as a sign that Eric Mill- HRCC staff is back. “It’s the same campaign team that lost er’s anti-gay fringe is ebbing. Last only three seats when our counterparts were getting their month, Miller sent an e-mail to his ass handed to them in 2006.” Gentry cited 19 Minnesota Advance America supporters urging Republicans who lost that year and 13 in Wisconsin. them to run for the legislature as Bosma said HRCC conceded that it would prob- his tax repeal movement faltered. ably not hold on to HD97 even if Elrod wasn’t running for Few apparently decided to answer re-election instead of Congress. So he starts the math at that call. Last year, billboards were 52-48 Democratic. He is banking on Messmer, Truitt and posted in Anderson taking Austin to Heaton as taking Democratic-held open seats in Republican task for her vote against the same majority districts, while holding on to Reps. Ed Soliday, Har- sex marriage amendment. “People ris and Lehe which he says recent HRCC polling tells him are not voting on issues like gay “we’re scientifically reinforced.” Said Bosma, “I don’t see marriage, of which there aren’t any any other or our incumbents in danger. As for the Her- in Indiana to begin with,” Parker rell, Austin and Battles Democratic seats, Bosma is urging said. “They are voting on jobs and BOB HEATON patience, saying that it’s better to have the party fill those the economy.” spots by June as opposed to having a “numbskull” file just Mike Gentry, who heads to fill the slot. “We’re talking to some very strong potential the House Republican Campaign candidates,” Bosma insisted. “They just couldn’t make the Committee, maintains that Republicans are “in a very commitment by filing deadline.” Bosma said that in addition strong position” to take seats held by Micon, Tincher, to ongoing candidate recruitment, the party’s fund raising Crooks, State Rep. Sandra Blanton (in the seat vacated by is stronger than it was in the past two cycles. State Rep. Jerry Denbo) and HD70 held by State Rep. Paul The other storyline kicking around the Statehouse Robertson. In that scenario, if the GOP were to run the is that Gentry is distracted by his new company, Maverick table on those seats and successfully defend Reps. Harris, Strategies, which is running the congressional campaigns Lehe and Thomas, there would be the formula for a GOP of Elrod and U.S. Rep. Dan Burton. Bosma has worked with takeover. In the GOP’s favor, Gov. Daniels’ re-election war Gentry for four election cycles. “Ninety percent of Mike chest is expected to exceed $20 million and they hope he Gentry’s attention is better than 100 percent of the next has coattails. But with U.S. Sen. John McCain the Republi- best person,” Bosma said. Gentry explains, “I spend very can presidential nominee, the question as to whether those little time on the Burton or Elrod campaigns, just a confer- two candidates can ignite the Christian conservatives for ence call here and there. Kyle Kasting, one of my partners the GOP is debatable. In a Feb. 2-3 Survey USA, Gov. Dan- in Maverick Strategies, is the day-to-day guy on both cam- iels’ fav/unfavs among pro-life supporters stood at 52/41, paigns. People who really know me realize my sons’ 4-H among proponents of the same sex marriage ban 40/57 pigs have always been the biggest diversion of my time and percent, and among gun owners 44/47 percent. just like politics we win a lot in that operation as well. My In HD62, Rep. Blanton will face one of five Re- political value is worth a lot less if we don’t win the House publicans in the primary there, with Brook Tarr, an Orange back, so I have always been clear as to my main focus.” v HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 7 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

There is OBS Medical CEO Frank Cheng who told 2008 Indiana Governor: Site Selection, “We compared several spots and we always came back to Indiana and Indianapolis as an attractive Site Selection (revisited) place to operate. Gov. Mitch Daniels has systematically tried to build up the life science industry in Indiana.” OBS Governor 2008: Republican: Gov. Mitch Dan- considered sites in Boston, North Carolina, New Jersey, iels, La Ron Keith. Democrat: Jim Schellinger, Jill Long Chicago, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Seattle. The 15- Thompson. 1996 Results: O’Bannon (D) 1,075,342, employee company hopes to expand to 100 within the next Goldsmith (R) 997,505, Dillon (L) 35,261. 2000 Results: year or so. Then there’s Connextions, a Florida-based out- O’Bannon (D) 1,230,345, McIn- sourcing firm that is bringing 750 jobs to Jeffersonville. And tosh (R) 906,492, Horning (L) CSpine Inc. which is bringing 49 jobs to Plymouth. 38,686. 2004 Results: Dan- In another magazine - Governing.com - gave iels (R) 1,302,912, Kernan (D) Indiana a B grade, up from C+. It said that Indiana was 1,113,900, Gividen (L) 31,644. the only state to have its grade improve in the four main 2008 Forecast: Remember the categories: money, people infrastructure and information.” 2004 Daniels-Kernan race and the Indiana was the only sate to have its grade improve in all must read on everyone’s coffee categories. Governing’s analysis was this: “Mitch Daniels table (or lavatory)? The Kernan campaign cited Site Selec- didn’t waste any time when he took over as governor of tion Magazine as evidence that Indiana was an eco- Indiana at the start of 2004. He talked the legislature into nomic development hotspot. We thought we’d check back voting for Daylgiht saving time, and see what Site Selection ending a controversy that had Magazine was saying about dragged on for decades. And the Hoosier state in 2008. In he set about privatizing large a January article by John W. chunks of state government in McCurry, he leads off by saying, order to encourage the compe- “A popular 1970 song by R. tition that he felt would bring Dean Taylor went by the title better performance in the end. Indiana Wants Me. That song Not all of it has helped Dan- was about anything but eco- iels politically. But the state’s nomic development but its title governmental structure has could aptly describe the state’s been changed in important major push to grow its diverse ways.” Governing, which notes life sciences sector. The Hoosier Indiana had 10 weaknesses and State is in the midst of a string 1 strength in 2005, now has 8 of successes in the industry, strengths and 1 weakness in where investors run the gamut 2008. from A to Z - as in Arcadia Meanwhile, Jill Long HealthCar to Zimmer.” It quotes Thompson unveiled the first Arcadia CEO Marvin Richardson Gov. Joe Kernan’s 2004 campaign relied on Site Selection detailed economic development saying, “Having a FedEx hub Magazine to show its economic development prowess. (HPI proposal from the Democrats hleps us in terms of distribu- Photo by Brian A. Howey) vowing to revamp Indiana’s tax tion of our product. Purdue and structure, make health care Butler are both highly rated and affordable and bring broadband produce good kids. That helps to smaller communities in what she called a “fundamental our recruiting.” But here’s a gem the Daniels campaign will change to the state’s approach for a growing economy.” certainly use: Richardson said Arcadia looked at sites in The proposal didn’t give an alternative to HB1001 and ig- Minnesota and Michigan for its $3 million investment that nored the Telecommunications Act of 2007 which is already will bring 400 jobs. “The bottom line was that I was driving extending broadband to smaller communities around the from Minneapolis to Rochester and the phone rang and it state. Thompson said, “Looking across Indiana, you see was Gov. Mitch Daniels. He took personal interest in our factories closing, families struggling to pay their mort- business and took time to understand our needs. We talked gages, pay their taxes and keep up with the rising costs of at least three times and met twice. He has a solid grasp of healthcare. Once-thriving communities are slowly dying as the types of businesses he wants to draw. We developed a people and businesses move away. And our current Gov- relationship that transcended anything we were doing.” ernor doesn’t seem to have the solutions or seem to care,” HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 8 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

said Long Thompson. She said she would change Indiana’s and a good father. His wife is an educator so you know he tax policy by expanding tax incentives to both employees lives education in the house. He knows that our values, and businesses. In the case of businesses, she would offer the way we treat our kids, the way we do right by our incentives to provide healthcare, acquire new technology seniors, the way we strengthen our families. These values and reduce their impact on the environment. She said she are the stuff that make Indiana and America great - that’s would create permanent tax deductions for individuals to the kind of congressman he’s going to be. Representing offset healthcare and education costs. Long Thompson said us in Washington DC.” The Carson campaign also sent she would create insurance pools to “vastly reduce costs to out a four-color individuals and smaller businesses.” The Argos Democrat mailer on Iraq. said she would reform “education policy by re-emphasizing Its front panel vocational education in Indiana’s high schools and provid- shows a burned ing incentives for students to complete their education.” out humvee and Long Thompson also said Indiana’s infrastructure needs to a child holding “bring broadband and high-speed internet connectivity to an American every county.” flag and hug- Cam Savage of the Daniels campaign coun- ging her father. tered, “Gov. Daniels created the Indiana Broadband De- It asks, “Which velopment Program and supported and signed sweeping direction? Keep telecommunications legislation in 2006 that’s been hailed troops in Iraq as a national model. Consumers are already benefiting. or Bring them Broadband services have been extended to more than 100 home?” On rural communities, creating more than 2,000 new jobs the back panel, Carson says, “Just recently, Indiana sent across the state, and pumping more than $500 million in its largest contingent of troops since WWII to the war in private investment into the economy.” Iraq. Enough is enough. I oppose the war and in Congress The Schellinger campaign is preparing to finally I will work to bring our troops safely home.” In contrast, release its public policy positions in the next week or so, Elrod is supporting the McCain/Bush position. As this race campaign sources tell HPI. Schellinger was endorsed by the goes into its final weekend, this will be a turnout election. Lake County Democratic Party. Primary Status: TOSSUP, If Carson can stoke up his grandmother’s once legenday General Status: Leans Daniels machine, he’s the odds-on favorite to win on Tuesday. Elrod has been out-raised by more than $250,000 prior to the Tuesday night fundraiser at Indiana Republican HQ. 2008 Congressional The Republican is hoping that fractures in the Democratic base (i.e. supporters of State Rep. Carolene Mays, Congressional District 7: Republican: David Orentlicher and Dr. Woody Myers) along with the State Rep. Jon Elrod. Democrat: Indianapolis Councilman Lugar organization’s call center and absentee clout will Andre Carson. 2006 Results: Carson 121,303, Horning bring about an upset. Special Election Status: LEANS (R) 97,491, Campbell (L) 4,381. 2008 Forecast: The CARSON Social Security issue took center stage in the final week of the campaign. Carson’s latest campaign ad speaks right to senior citizens, calling Social Security a safety 2008 Legislative net. But before it’s over, the ad says, “Jon Elrod? He actu- ally supports George Bush’s risky scheme to privatize SD21 Caucus: With the coming resignation of Social Security. That’s not the kind of change we need in State Sen. Jeff Drozda, that has been exclusively covered Washington” (Rader, WTHR-TRV). “When you don’t want by Howey Politics Indiana, State Rep. Jim Buck began im- to talk about your issues and your ideas, you go negative,” mediately to shore up support for a jump to the Senate. He said Elrod. “I certainly never proposed changing anything will face caucus opposition from Dave Mueller, vice presi- as far as Social Security benefits for people currently dent of the Westfield-Washington School Board. Mueller is receiving them already in the work force. It may make a Purdue graduate who owns Insects Limited, Inc. located sense to have private accounts for people that are enter- in Westfield. He is a stored product entomologist who ing the work force in the future or maybe some people specializes in agriculture and food safety. Buck joined the could opt out of it.” Carson is airing the endorsement of House as part of the 1994 Republican tsunami. Given his U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, who said, “He knows that there are lengthy legislative history and contacts, we see this caucus things more important than money. He’s a good husband, as Buck’s to lose. Status: LIKELY BUCK v HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 9 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

proposal was pretty harsh but I did that to get a message Delph’s outreach on out to the business community. I’ve made four concessions. The first I made was to put a third strike provision in there. It went from a two strike, which was the Arizona proposal, immigration spurned to three strikes. Second, we said that if you just use E- By BRIAN A. HOWEY Verify, whether it works or doesn’t work and there’s debate INDIANAPOLIS - As the two illegal immigration about that. But if you just use it, you have immunity from bills head for a possible compromise (or death) in the final prosecution. We pushed out the implementation date to week of the Indiana General Assembly, we conducted this October 2009 to give people time to ramp out and put in interview with State Sen. Mike Delph at the Starbuck’s on the infrastructure to enforce the law. The last concession North Keystone Avenue. The senator had recently been we made is that it only applies to new hires going forth. characterized as “El Diablo” by El Indy Latino newspaper I’ve tried to do everything I could to meet some concerns last week. of the business community and lobbyists. I’m convinced HPI: I’ve always felt immigration is a federal issue that no matter what I do, they are going to be against this that needs a federal solution. Give us your take on how you proposal. They don’t like this proposal. They share your got to the point where you needed to view that this is a federal issue and the states shouldn’t write this legislation? be involved in this. This Hispanic community has said that Delph: First of all, I com- this is a federal issue. As we move closer to this proposal pletely agree. Immigration policy is being reality here in Indiana, it’s become very clear to me a federal issue. The federal govern- that those who are the most vocal against this proposal ment has abdicated its constitutional are those that are profiting the most from the status quo, responsibilities to defend our borders whether it’s from the Hispanic community or the busi- and enforce customs law. As a result ness community. They are using the federal impotence on there are the social and economic costs that have been enforcing immigration law as a shield or excuse to protect shifted down to the state and local governments that those their own profit. taxpayers bear every day, from school construction to HPI: Is it proper to have the enforcement mecha- incarceration of illegal immigrants to health care. There’s nism fall on business? a real economic cost there. One thing that I like to cor- Delph: Thomas Jefferson said the price of freedom rect people on is this is not an is eternal vigilance. I argue immigration proposal. This is an that in a post-9/11 world illegal immigration proposal. It’s all Americans, regardless of against the law. We’re a na- race or ethnicity, have an tion of immigrants. We’re the obligation to look out and great melting pot. I embrace our be vigilant over one another. diversity as a nation of immi- Businesses are no differ- grants. But illegal immigration in ent. They have a corporate the state of Indiana has gotten responsibility to obey and fol- completely out of control. What low the laws. This proposal happened was that I kept going isn’t to punish law abiding to town meetings and this issue corporate citizens, but lift kept popping up. ‘What are you them up by punishing those going to do about illegal immi- who aren’t sharing those gration?’ I kept hearing conver- values. Do I think it’s proper? sations around the Statehouse I think it’s necessary in a that illegal immigration was post-9/11 world. starting to percolate; it was HPI: What have you starting to hit the radar in terms learned from similar laws in of state and local politics. I started researching the issue as Arizona and Oklahoma? to what we could do under the confines of the Constitution Delph: Arizona and Oklahoma have done different and customs law and I reached this proposal that could things. SB335 has been amended into two separate vehi- help resolve the issue. State government regulates busi- cles: SB345 and HB1219. I’ve got two different conference nesses, we regulate business licenses and so that’s what committees I’m going to be a part of as an adviser to Rep. SB335 is designed to do: put requirements on those who Vern Tincher, who is my partner in this. The bill is based seek to do business in the state of Indiana. The original on Arizona, Oklahoma, Georgia and Arkansas. The impact HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 10 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

of Arizona and Oklahoma still needs study. It’s still being lem. It’s unacceptable. But what do we tell our constitu- studied. It’s my hope that just the process of introduc- ents when they say, “Senator, what are you doing about ing this legislation sends a message to the Hispanic com- it.” They don’t want us to say, “We’re writing a letter to munity, the business community and other communities the congressional delegation.” I sent a letter to Sen. Mc- of concern that the state of Indiana is no longer going to Cain when he was in town. He’s going to be the leader stand idly by and accept inaction on the part of the federal of my party. He could very well be the next president of government. Or accept law breaking by anybody, and that’s the United States and Congress has been spending time what is going on. The more I study. the more convinced I dealing with Roger Clemens using performance enhancing am that I’m doing the right thing. You have human be- drugs and whether the New England Patriots stole signals ings that are being shuttled into our state under the cloud from their opponents. That is absolutely unacceptable and of darkness and are being put into a role that is not free. ridiculous. The state of Indiana on the same day was hold- They may have slightly better conditions than where they ing hearings on illegal immigration. It’s a complete abdica- came from, but it’s not freedom. I’ll give you an example. tion of leadership out of Washington. In my own church, we have a growing Hispanic community. HPI: I thought the Pence-Hutchison legislation I have a gentleman from Guatemala in my church who’s was a good compromise: The Ellis Island centers, people a citizen. He came up to me and said, ‘MIke, I’m really returning to their country of origin, getting work visas, concerned about what you’re doing.” We talked for about getting on the path to citizenship, paying a fine and learn- an hour and he asked if I would meet ing English. What was your impression of with a group of friends. We met at my Pence-Hutchison? church with about 25 illegal immi- Delph: I never reviewed that grants a couple of Thursdays ago. One because I’ve been so busy doing my own of the girls in the nursery who watches legislation. I can tell you when I talk to over my youngest daughter, Lilly, said, taxpayers in my district, they don’t like “I’m married to an illegal immigrant. the idea of any kind of amnesty. He’s right here sitting right next to me. HPI: It wasn’t amnesty. People Your daughter loves him. What are you are throwing that word around at every going to tell your daughter?” So this piece of legislation that tries to solve the has been a very personal emotional problem federally. roller coaster for me. But she also said Sen. Delph as a student intern with Nicara- Delph: The English thing is some- that each and every day - before my guan President Chamorro. thing I hear all the time in my district. proposal - every time he called her on They do not like the fact that when they the phone, she was in fear of getting go to a store or a fast food restaurant that phone call: “I’ve been caught. I’m they have a difficult time communicating being taken away.” I turned the issue around. I said, “What with people they are interacting with. kind of life is that? Is that freedom? Is that fair to you? Fair HPI: But that’s been part of the American experi- to your kids?” It’s not at all. There are real human rights ence going back to the 1880s when the Germans came or abuses going on here. There are people exploiting labor for the 1910s when the Italians and Poles came. profit. There are people exploiting human beings for other Delph: It’s a little bit different because when the things beyond profit. It’s a real problem. The estimates of Germans came, they had these points of assimilation. the illegal population are hard to quantify. It’s my personal People would go to New York City or San Antonio, Houston, belief after talking with people deep in the Hispanic com- Los Angeles or Miami and then maybe the next generation munity who are on the ground and with people in law would move elsehwere. Now you’ve got the entry point at enforcement, we are well in excess of 100,000 illegal im- Frankfort, and Greenfield, Indiana. There’s this huge cul- migrants here in Indiana. It’s a much higher number than ture clash. It happens in rural America. you read in Pew. HPI: While there have been some local issues, ac- HPI: Is it your hope that if this legislation passes tually the Hispanics in Indiana seem to be assimilating into into law, along with other states, that it’s going to be a our culture without a great deal of turmoil. And couldn’t patchwork.... the General Assembly pass a resolution endorsing Pence- Delph: We’re shifting the problem to other states, Hutchison or asking the congressional delegation to get to there’s no doubt about that. work and come up with a federal solution? HPI: What we’re looking at is within three or four Delph: I’m willing to review it. But one thing I ask years if the feds don’t get their act together, we’re looking the Hispanic community is, “What are you willing to do? at a patchwork of laws that will be untenable. Are you willing to serve in the military?” I’ve had Hispanic Delph: You’re absolutely right. It will be a prob- HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 11 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

people come to me and say that the illegal immigrants for (Nicaraguan President) Chomorro back in 1991-92. I “cast an aspersion on me.” It’s not fair to American citizens. traveled all over Colombia. I studied in Mexico City and I HPI: Will this legislation clear both chambers and learned Spanish there. I’ve got a record of reaching out. go to the governor? And what This is not about not embracing kind of conversations have you in diversity. If what you mean had with the governor? by a political backlash is that I Delph: I don’t know get punished for standing up where the governor is going to for one of the basic pillars of be on this. democracy, respect for the rule HPI: He’s in a wait and of law, I’ll accept that punish- see mode. ment. If people are exploiting Delph: It’s going to human beings for profit. You’re be difficult for him. Like me, he seeing a lot of periodicals like speaks Spanish. He has a very this (holds El Indy Latino) ... strong affinity for the Hispanic these folks make money off of community. It’s personally a illegal immigration because it very difficult decision for him. increases their market share. But in terms of where we end Television and radio get more up on this, in the final week of eyeballs, more listeners and the the session is going to be all about property taxes. I would more money they make. imagine once we get a resolution on property taxes they’ll HPI: You’re saying that El Indy Latino is profiting gavel the session over and it will probably die. from illegal immigration. HPI: Would passage of this legislation be enough Delph: Absolutely. Because the more people they to send the message to Washington that there has to be a can reach out to, the more their advertising rates go up. federal solution? What’s suffering is the human tragedy that’s going on. Delph: I think the congressional delegation is The people that are in the shadows, outside of freedom, very much aware what the state of Indiana is doing on who are being exploited for sexual gratuities and for other illegal immigration. They are aware of the frustration in the things that are not in the American dream. That’s why I go Indiana General Assembly. I can tell you that the federal to the Hispanic community and say, “Where is the out- government hasn’t resourced this adequately. Part of the rage?” Two weeks ago there was a van pulled over in Hen- intent of this legislation is to coordinate law enforcement. dricks County. They literally had 20 people stacked up on This idea that there is going to be mass racial profiling is top of each other, including women and children, like cattle. insulting to our law enforcement. I went to the TV station and said, “Where is the outrage? HPI: The point of the Howey Politics Indiana When are you guys going to go on television and say, ‘This analysis in last week’s edition wasn’t to bash you, but to is wrong’?” point out that there will be political consequences for the HPI: And what’s your reaction to El Indy Latino’s Republican Party. Pew, Newhouse and other sources are “Sen. Diablo”? showing a distinct erosion in support among Hispanics for Delph: It’s tabloid journalism. It’s an insult to my the Republican Party. This was something I pointed out family. I feel worse for my daughters and wife than myself. after Congressman Hostettler’s hearings in late summer I’m getting a pretty thick skin. It’s not true. It’s silly and 2006. Now I know Rep. Tincher is involved and I know it’s it’s unfortunate. And I think what you’re going to find is gotten Democratic support. that other Hispanic publications are going to come to my Delph: It’s a bipartisan issue. defense very quickly. This idea that I am poisoning the HPI: I’ve heard Gov. Daniels speak on the subject. Hispanic community is at fault because I have reached out He and President Bush speak quite eloquently on the topic, to the Hispanic community. but people like Hostettler and Rep. Tom Tancredo have HPI: Have there been any proposals from the Indi- radicallized the perceptions and that is staining the Republi- ana Latino community on illegal immigration? can Party. It’s a perception thing. Delph: No. Everybody who’s been critical of my Delph: I’ve got some props. I was the first Re- proposal, I’ve said to them, “If this isn’t your solution, what publican to reach out to the Latino community back in is your solution? If you’ve got a better solution, I’m all 2001 when I was campaigning for secretary of state. I ears.” The community as a whole cannot be accomplices went to the Hispanic Job Fair and registered citizens (He to law breaking because they create racial tensions and shows a picture of himself and former IPS Supt. Esperanza suspicions over legal citizens. v Zendejas). I spoke to the crowd in Spanish. I interned HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 12 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008

In its statement about his departure, the White Politics & plagerism: House credited Goeglein with making important contribu- tions to Bush’s faith-based initiatives, his global campaign the strange case of against AIDS and the confirmation of two Supreme Court justices, John Roberts Jr., another Indiana native, and Sam- uel Alito Jr. Goeglein certainly wasn’t a reckless rule-break- Tim Goeglein er. I contacted him repeatedly to talk about the Supreme By MARK SCHOEFF JR. Court confirmations and other issues in his portfolio. Each WASHINGTON -- It looked as if Tim Goeglein time, he fastidiously checked with the White House press would be one of those rare White House staffers who joins office and declined politely. “The powers that be asked that the administration when it first I not do this one,” he wrote in an e-mail exchange last fall. comes into office and then stays It was those same powers who say that they had no idea until the bitter end eight years Goeglein was writing a column for the News-Sentinel. In later. Instead, Goeglein’s tenure published reports, he indicated that he had informed the came to a bitter end in a swift press office of his outside endeavor at the beginning of the downfall last week. Goeglein, a administration. Fort Wayne native and former We might never know what drove Goeglein to aide to Sen. Dan Coats, worked plagiarize. But we can speculate on why he penned in President Bush’s public liaison guest columns. We have to assume he loved to write. His office until Friday, when a blog- News-Sentinel column, which covered a range of issues ger demonstrated that he had not directly related to the White House agenda, could plagiarized eight paragraphs of a be treacle. Nonetheless, there’s a deep satisfaction that guest column for the Ft. Wayne comes with being published. You can point to something News-Sentinel. He was exposed tangible -- a story on a printed page or a Web site -- and by Nancy Nall, a former News- say, “i did that.” So much of what goes on in Washington Sentinel columnist who now has is intangible. How do you point to maintaining good White her own blog. House relations with the right-wing and say, “I did that’”? Goeglein promptly admitted his transgression and You have to develop a narrative and hope that others apologized to the paper and to the person from whom he will understand and recognize it. Telling those stories stole the words. Within hours, the White House announced over and over to undergird your professional value can be Goeglein’s resignation as a News-Sentinel investigation draining. revealed that Goeglein had plagiarized 20 of 38 columns But Goeglein made a terrible mistake. Pre- he had written over the course of his tenure in the White senting someone else’s work as your own is the writing House. equivalent of a sex scandal. We’ve become almost inured Why Goeglein did it is a mystery. He wasn’t under to bedroom peccadilloes in the nation’s capital. Senators deadline pressure. He could submit his column whenever and House members, even presidents, who are exposed in the spirit moved him. He wasn’t a struggling writer who episodes of infidelity often can bounce back. A senator who needed to churn out clips so he could land a journalism is alleged to have been a client of the infamous Washington job. He had established himself as a good communicator madam just appeared at a press conference on immigration earlier in his career, which included a stint with WOWO on Wednesday, apparently not concerned that someone radio in Ft. Wayne. When he was Coats’ press secretary, would ask a stray question about his personal life. Goeglein demonstrated his skill in capturing earned media In the same way, Goeglein could make a come- for his boss. It seemed as if Goeglein was able to pitch -- back. He may not get another chance to write for publica- and sell -- separate stories about each dimension of Coats’ tion. But there is a prominent presidential candidate who 19-point Project for American Renewal, an initiative that of- definitely needs help with the right wing. Perhaps Goeglein fered tax cuts and other incentives to solve social problems should reach out to Sen. John McCain to restart his career. through private sector, community and personal efforts. v Goeglein didn’t suffer a career lapse after Capitol Hill success. In the White House, he was a top aide Schoeff, a native of Fort Wayne, writes for Howey to former political guru Karl Rove. Goeglein helped build Politics Indiana from Washington. the Bush administration’s relationship with conservatives, especially the Christian right. In the 2000, Goeglein was an adviser to religious activist Gary Bauer’s campaign. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 13 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008 Leslie Stedman Weidenbener, pertise is both foreign policy and energy policy, is a world- Louisville Courier-Journal: It’s not quite clear whether class globetrotter. Yet Lugar visits Northwest Indiana more the changes that House Democrats made to a proposed often than Bayh. Perhaps Bayh should visit this corner of constitutional amendment putting limits on property tax bills the state more often. It might help him learn what folks are meant to be a serious plan or a philosophical statement. here see as the issues in the presidential race. But Bayh But I’m leaning toward the latter. As passed by isn’t the only Democrat who needs to spend time here. Did the Senate, the proposed constitutional amend- you know there’s a governor’s race this year? ment would have limited homeowners’ property And that there are two Democrats vying for tax bills to no more than 1 percent of assessed their party’s nomination? Perhaps you’ve heard value, although the tax burden needed to pay of Jill Long Thompson. She’s a former congress- off construction debt approved by voters in a woman from northeast Indiana, which gives her referendum would be exempt. That exception some name recognition there, but she’s also a would apply only to new debt because Indiana former Valparaiso City Council member. Yet 58 hasn’t used referendums in the past. But the percent of the likely voters who responded in House Ways and Means Committee, which is that Howey-Gauge Poll didn’t even recognize controlled by Democrats, amended the language so that her name. Focusing on fundraising is understand- the proposed amendment would now limit tax bills to no able, but how about gaining personal endorsements? more than 1 percent of the household’s income -- plus the Bayh’s backing of Clinton doesn’t seem to count for much. amount dedicated to all existing debt repayment. On its Who else would the Democratic voters listen to? How about surface, the Democrats’ plan, which passed the House last the candidate herself? It’s time for Long Thompson to take week, might seem like a better deal for most taxpayers. her message directly to the voters. Or as some people After all, most homeowners have an assessed value that is are fond of saying, “You really should get out more.” But higher than their annual household income. Debt repayment Long Thompson’s name recognition is far greater than makes up an estimated one-quarter to one-third of all tax that of her opponent in the primary, Jim Schellinger. Only bills. The practical problem with the Democrats’ idea is that 21 percent of the poll respondents had heard of him. He’s lawmakers don’t have any numbers to show how it would backed into an even tighter corner than his opponent in the affect taxpayers, local governments and schools, which primary. Schellinger is an architect who lived in the South lose money when a homeowner hits the cap. Democrats, Bend area but now works in the Indianapolis area. Memo- though, have produced no numbers at all to support their rize that, and consider yourself more informed than 79 plan. Neither has the Legislative Services Agency. House percent of the people likely to vote in the Democratic pri- Ways and Means Chairman Bill Crawford, D-Indianapolis, mary just two months away. My advice to voters? Get your has said the plan would be better for both taxpayers and doorbell fixed. Long Thompson and Schellinger, or one of local governments. But that can’t happen. If taxpayers save their supporters, might be on the doorstep soon. My advice more, local governments and schools lose more. If local to the candidates? Wear name tags. You’ll need them. v governments and schools receive more revenue, then tax- payers are paying more. v Jack Colwell, South Bend Tribune: A statewide poll in Indiana shows Barack Obama with a large Doug Ross, Times of Northwest Indi- lead over Hillary Clinton. If Clinton begins a comeback with ana: If I were Sen. Evan Bayh, I would be having second wins Tuesday in Ohio and Texas and somehow remains a thoughts about endorsing Sen. Hillary Clinton. How impor- viable contender until the May 6 Indiana primary, there’s tant is Bayh’s endorsement? I’ll let the numbers tell you no guarantee of victory in Indiana, even with endorsement themselves. Sen. Barack Obama has the support of 40 of her by Sen. Evan Bayh. The poll, conducted Feb. 17- percent of likely voters in the Democratic primary in Indi- 18 by Gauge Market Research for Howey Politics Indiana, ana, while Clinton has the support of just 25 percent. That’s shows these percentages of support among likely Demo- the finding of the Howey-Gauge Poll conducted Feb. 16-17 cratic primary voters: Obama, 40; Clinton, 25; the rest still and released on Monday in Indianapolis. Bayh’s support uncertain. The poll was completed just prior to Obama’s for Clinton came last fall, when the candidates were still in Wisconsin primary victory and his latest surge in national the starting gate. Was Bayh hoping to become yet another polls. Bayh has campaigned for Clinton. And many other Hoosier vice president? Could be, although the last veep prominent Hoosier Democrats also have endorsed her, due from Indiana, Dan Quayle, didn’t provide much reason for at least in part to hope she would pick Bayh as a running Hoosier pride. He’ll go down in history as the vice president mate. The poll indicates that this prospect is not resulting who couldn’t spell “potato” correctly, among other gaffes. in widespread support for Clinton among Democratic vot- Maybe it’s just me, but I haven’t seen much evidence of ers. v Bayh visiting Northwest Indiana. Sen. Dick Lugar, whose ex- HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 14 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 6, 2008 Sen. Ford dies; Services for Ford will be at St. Mary’s minor change made by the House. Catholic Church in Muncie. Long said services Saturday the funeral would likely be Saturday, Z. Mae Jimison dies HARTFORD CITY - Sen. David although details were pending. Me- Ford’s bout with pancreatic cancer morials may be made to the David C. INDIANAPOLIS - Former Mar- was painfully short – about seven Ford Scholarship Fund, Blackford High ion Superior Court Judge and Marion weeks – but School, 2392 N. Indiana 3, Hartford County’s first African-American female he spent City, IN 47348. Judge, Zilthia Mae Jimison, passed those pre- away on Wednesday. She was 64. cious days Mayors lobby for Known as “Z. Mae” among colleagues living life to and friends, Judge Jimison served two the fullest city income tax times on the Marion County bench, (Kelly, Fort INDIANAPOLIS - A group of first appointed in 1988 (serving till Wayne Lake County mayors came to the Capi- 1990) and later elected in 1996 (serv- Journal tol on Wednesday lobbying for cities ing till 2002). She spent much of her Gazette). to have the power to levy their own elected term creating and Supervis- He traveled to Chicago in a friend’s income taxes (Post-Tribune). Mayors ing Marion County’s Drug Court. In RV to witness his son’s wedding, e- Rudy Clay of Gary, Brian Snedecor between Judge stints, she served on mailed and talked on the phone about of Hobart and George Pabey of East the Marion County City-County Council legislative business and even cel- Chicago met with key legislators and from 1992 – 1995 and ran for Mayor ebrated his 59th representatives of Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indianapolis against incumbent Ste- birthday just days at the Statehouse. The mayors worry phen Goldsmith in 2005. Judge Cyn- before his death. their cities will face financial crises thia Ayers noted the historic role she Ford’s battle if unfunded property tax caps take played in the Indiana judiciary. “As ended Wednesday effect, slashing their budgets. Clay the first black woman appointed to the morning when said he asked House Ways and Means Superior Court of Marion County, she he died at home. Committee Chairman William Craw- crossed a historic barrier and opened Ford, R-Hartford ford to give individual taxing units the doors for other qualified women to City, had been power to levy an income tax to offset become part of the judiciary in this receiving hospice cuts in police department and fire state,” Judge Ayers said. care and che- department budgets because of the SEN. FORD motherapy after tax caps. Giving cities the power to tax hospitalization for within their own borders is especially GOP Chairs what appeared to important in Lake County, Clay said, disowns Zirkle be flu-like symptoms in mid-Janu- because county officials have thus ary. After surgery, doctors discovered far not enacted a county income tax. SOUTH BEND - The Repub- he was critically ill. “David was a “We want to give property tax relief, lican Party chairman for St. Joseph unique individual, probably the most but we need to have the capability County sharply denounced Tony principled man I’ve ever met,” said to maintain these key services,” Clay Zirkle’s suggestion that the United Senate President Pro Tem David Long. said. Crawford, D-Indianapolis, said he States should debate segregating by “He walked the walk in ways that we believes the idea is worth considering. race (South Bend Tribune). Zirkle is rarely see in people.” The mood was “We are still working toward an agree- one of four people seeking the Repub- solemn in the Senate on Wednesday ment,” Crawford said. lican nomination as the 2nd District – black ribbons hanging on the doors, U.S. representative. Zirkle said he and flowers and an open Bible sitting wasn’t saying which side of the debate on Ford’s empty desk. “I knew Dave Truth in music bill OK’d he’d take but that segregation might be a way to deal with the high rate Ford as a fellow student early in life, INDIANAPOLIS - musical as a legislator the last three years of black men in prison and out-of- performances featuring impostors who wedlock births among blacks. “These and as a kind and thoughtful friend were never involved with the original in between,” Gov. Mitch Daniels said. comments are antiquated and asinine groups would be prohibited under a and are the childish machinations of a “I haven’t met a more insightful or bill headed to Gov. Mitch Daniels’ desk harder-working member of the Gen- publicity hound,” said Chris Riley, St. (Associated Press). The Senate gave Joseph County Republican chairman. eral Assembly. I’m not sure a person final legislative approval to the bill like Dave Ford can be replaced.” yesterday by voting 46-0 to accept a